Sauté onions, peppers and garlic just until soft. Combine all of the ingredients together. Serve with toasted whole grain bread, crackers or tortilla chips for dipping or eat as a salad with lettuce or pasta.

Haricot Blanc Paté

1-540 ml can great northern

or cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed thoroughly

1 T. mustard

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 T. fresh- squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

2 T capers, drained

2 T. fresh parsley, finely chopped

fresh-ground pepper and salt to taste

paprika garnish

Combine all the ingredients together and serve with fresh vegetables and whole grain baguette, warm pita or crackers.

Minty Broad Bean Dip

1-540 ml can broad (fava) beans, rinsed

1 cup Greek yogurt

fresh mint leaves, chopped

3 T. grated parmesan cheese

1-2 garlic cloves

salt and pepper to taste

Blend all of the ingredients together and serve with Greek-style pita or flat bread and fresh vegetables.

Baba Ghannouj

1 large eggplant (or 2 medium), roasted

1/2 cup olive oil

4-5 cloves garlic

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 cup plain yogurt

2 T. cumin seeds, pan-roasted and ground

2 whole chilies, chopped

1-2 t. kosher or sea salt

2 t. cayenne

Blend all of the ingredients together including the unpeeled eggplant and garnish with olive oil and a dusting of cayenne or cumin. Serve with toasted whole grain pita chips.

To make the pita chips: Preheat low broiler. Brush rounds of pita with olive oil and cut into fat, long strips or triangles. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Broil on cookie sheet for 3-5 minutes until golden and crispy.

Baked Artichoke Dip

1 package (8oz) cream cheese

1/2 cup olive oil mayonaisse

1/2 cup sour cream

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small purple onion, minced

3 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

1 12 oz. jar, marinated artichokes, drained and roughly chopped

fresh ground pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients well. Oil a 9 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees (set on cookie sheet to catch any dripping) for 40 minutes until bubbling and golden. Serve with toasted whole grain bread, crackers or pita chips and fresh vegetables.

Microbes outnumber human cells 10:1. These micro-organisms are composed of millions of genes compared to the 23,000 genes that form the human genome. The term human being is being replaced with the term human organism by microbiologists to reflect the reality that the human genome is one of a myriad genomes dictating the human experience in both health and disease.

The human immune system is a multi-layered, sophisticated and highly-adaptive defense system of structures and mechanical, chemical, and biological processes that protect us from pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins, fungus, allergens, and carcinogens. Let's have a closer look.

Organs of the Immune System

The Lymphatic System

Theadenoidsare lumpy clusters of spongy lymphatic tissue that help protect children from getting sick. They sit in the back of the nasal cavity and are above the roof of the mouth.

Liketonsils, adenoids help keep your body healthy by trapping harmful bacteria and viruses that you breathe in or swallow. Adenoids also contain cells that make antibodies to help your body fight infections.

Adenoids do important work as infection fighters for babies and young children. They become less important once a child gets older and the body develops other ways to fight germs. Adenoids usually shrink after about age 5, and by the teenage years they often practically disappear.

Thethymus is a specialized organ of the immune system. The only known function of the thymus is the production and education of T-lymphocytes (T cells), which are critical cells of the adaptive immune system. The thymus is composed of two identical lobes and is located anatomically in the anterior superior mediastinum, in front of the heart and behind the sternum.

The thymus is largest and most active during the neonatal and pre-adolescent periods. By the early teens, the thymus begins to atrophy and thymic stroma is replaced by adipose (fat) tissue. Nevertheless, residual T lymphopoiesis continues throughout adult life.

Thespleenis the immunological conference centre and filter of the blood and it is made up of B cells, T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and red blood cells. In addition to capturing antigens (foreign material) from the blood, macrophages and dendritic cells bring antigens to the spleen via the bloodstream. An immune response is initiated when they present the antigen to the appropriate B or T cells, which then become activated and produce large amounts of antibodies. The spleen also produces red blood cells, destroys old red blood cells, synthesizes antibodies and removes antibody-coated red blood cells and bacteria from the bloodstream and stores reserves of monocytes and platelets that promote wound healing.

Lymph Fluid, Ducts, and Vessels area network of conduits that carry a clear fluid called lymph unidirectionally toward the heart. Blood plasma exits vascular capillaries to become interstitial fluid (between cells) and comes into contact with the functional parts of all organs and then enters lymphatic vessels to become lymph fluid. Unlike blood, there is no heart pressure to move this fluid. It is moved by intrinsic (internal) contractions of the lymph passages or extrinsic (external) compression caused by breathing and muscle movement or contraction.

Alymph nodeis a small ball-shaped organ distributed widely throughout the body including the armpit and stomach and linked by lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes are garrisons of B, T, and other immune cells. Lymph nodes are found all through the body, and act as filters or traps for foreign particles. They are important in the proper functioning of the immune system.

The lymph fluid contains lymphocytes which defend against infection and the spread of tumours, absorbs and transports fatty acids and fats to the circulatory system, transports immune cells to and from lymph nodes in to bones, transports antigen-presenting cells to lymph nodes where an immune response is stimulated and is a part of the inflammatory response of the body.

Peyers Patchesare located in the lowest portion of the small intestine, the ileum and contain macrophages, dedritic cells, B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes. Because the gastrointestinal tract is exposed to the external environment, it is populated with potentially pathogenic microorganisms and toxins. Peyers patches are an important part of immune surveillance and the generation of the immune response.

All cells of the immune system are initially derived frombone marrow. They form through a process called hematopoiesis. During hematopoiesis, stem cells from bone marrow differentiate into either mature immune cells or into precursors of cells that migrate out of the bone marrow to continue their maturation eslewhere. Bone produces B cells, natural killer cells, granulocytes, immature thymocytes in addition to red blood cells and platelets.

Cells of the Immune System

Cells of the Immune System

T helper cellsaugment and increase the effect of lymphocytes (white blood cells) and the immune response by the secretion of specialized factors that activate other white blood cells to fight infection.

T Killer/Suppressor cellsdirectly killer tumour cells, viral-infected cells, some parasites, and are important in the down-regulation of the immune response. Both T cells are found throughout the body and depend on lymph nodes and the spleen for activation. T cells are also found in the liver, lungs, blood, intestine and reproductive tracts.

Natural Killer cells function as effector cells that directly kill certain tumours such as melanomas and lymphomas, and viral-infected cells. They do not depend on lymphoid tissue (spleen, lymph nodes) for activation. Natural killer cells that have been activated by T helper cells will kill tumours and infection more effectively.

B (lymphocyte) cellsmain function is the production of antibodies in response to foreign proteins of bacteria, viruses and tumour cells. Antibodies are specialized proteins that specifically recogize and bind to an antigen and is critical as a means to signal other cells to engulf, kill or to remove it from the body.

A Healthy B Cell

Granulocytes or polymorphonuclear leukocytesare a group of white blood cells composed of three cell types: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils that are important in the removal of bacteria and parasites from the body. They engulf and degrade foreign microbes by using their powerful enzymes.

Macrophagesregulate the immune response and are referred to as scavengers or antigen-presenting cells because they pick up and ingest foreign material and present these antigens to other cells which is one of the first steps in the immune response. Stimulated macrophages exhibit increased levels of phagocytosis and are also secretory.

Dendritic cellsoriginate in the bone marrow and function as antigen-presenting cells and are more efficient than macrophages. They are found in the thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, bloodstream and other tissues. Dendritic cells capture antigens and transport these to lymphoid organs where an immune response is initiated.

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HEALTH COACHprovides the information, instruction, and the tools to facilitate behavioural change that leads to the creation and maintenance of health, rather than the suppression of natural physiological function and the symptoms of an unhealthy body.

no pill, cure, or therapy can replace basic health habits

WHO 2011 report on disease in canada

DISEASE IN CANADA

Canadians are leading the worldwide epidemic of chronic inflammatory disease with high blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and body mass. 89% of all deaths in Canada, compared with 63% in the world, are from noncommunicable disease such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. We are leading by more than a 30% margin; 80% are preventable.

In Canada, in 2013, 29.3 billion dollars was spent on prescription drugs. 36% of Canadians take two or more prescription drugs, among the highest of the 11 other OECD countries surveyed. - Health Council of Canada

WHO Global Report

Canadian Environmental Policy & Record

This 2010 study conducted by Simon Fraser University rates the environmental record of the 25 developed countries belonging to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) using 28 environmental indicators. Canada ranks 24th out of 25 developed countries for environmental health and sustainability.

canada oil spills - interactive pipeline map

GMO Research Statistics

The first GMO food crop went to market in Canada in 1927. All food crops in Canada have been genetically altered. 167.2 million acres of earth are planted with GM crops. 7 million farmers in 18 countries grow GM crops. 99 percent of these crops are grown in the US, Argentina, Canada, China, Brazil, and South Africa. The most common GM crops are soybeans, corn, cottonseed, canola, tomatoes, potatoes, rice, peas, zucchini, the Arctic apple, and sugar beets. Fish and dairy products involve a variety of genetic biotechnologies.

happy planet index

HAPPY PLANET

This world map created by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) economics as if people and the planet mattered: measures ecological efficiency, human well being and environmental impact to fairly value world happiness. Costa Rica is first in the world in all three categories followed by the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Canada is in the 89th position with the United States 114th.

Visit The new economics foundation to read the full report - sign the Happy Planet Charter

HEALTH COACH earth HEALTH

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HEALTH COACH is a research project and my professional opus. I am on the frontline of healthcare, and I see firsthand what is happening in Canada.
HEALTH COACH is also a comprehensive guide for a healthy lifestyle with the identification of 13 basic health habits, necessary, universally, for human physiological health. This is the fundamental foundation of health missing, and needed to build a coherent and definitive infrastructure of education systems, government policy, and healthcare that actually includes health.
Please visit the Behind the Scenes page for information about THE HEALTH COACH PROJECT.
Please visit the CURRICULUM VITAE and the CLUB BELIVEAU pages for professional profile and business information.